The Boss Project

Merrick shook his head. “Not a little. A lot. Can you stay? At least until tomorrow. Maybe we can play it by ear.”

“I guess so. I have some patients scheduled, but I suppose I could reschedule them. My boss is kind of a jerk, though. I hope he doesn’t mind me taking a day when I’m so new.”

“Your boss might give you a raise if you stay.”

I smiled. “That’s not necessary, but I’ll stick around a little longer if it makes you feel better. I’d do anything for Kitty.”

“It does.” His shoulders dropped. “Thank you.”

We finished our coffee while sharing stories about our grandmothers. When I got up to pour a second cup, I heard Kitty calling from the bedroom. “Yoohoo! Everly, darling, are you up?”

I smiled. “I almost forgot she doesn’t know you’re here yet.”

He lifted his chin. “You go first. I don’t want to scare her.”

I went down the hall to Kitty’s room. When I opened the door, Merrick stayed behind me, out of view. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, darling. I’m sorry to be a burden. Do you think you can give me a hand getting out of this bed?”

“I’d love to, Kitty, but there’s someone else here who might be a little stronger.” I stepped aside, and Merrick walked in.

Kitty’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Merrick! You’re here!”

“Of course, Grams. I came as soon as I could.” He walked over to the bed, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry it wasn’t sooner.”

She waved him off. “You’re such a busy man. I hate to bother you.”

“Bother me? What bothers me is that you didn’t call me yourself. And we’re going to talk about that. But I’ll let you get up and have your coffee first.”

He carefully helped her into the wheelchair I’d left by her bedside.

“I need to make a pit stop in the loo.”

Merrick looked at me with panic on his face. I smiled. “Why don’t I help you with that?”

He wheeled Kitty to the bathroom, then scooped her out of the chair and set her down on the toilet, fully dressed, before rushing out the door. “I’ll leave you to…whatever.”

There was something kind of comical about how freaked out he was, but I kept that to myself. After I helped Kitty get settled, I told her I’d wait outside and to yell when she was done so I could get her back into the wheelchair. Of course, she hobbled on one hard-casted foot and one boot to get herself out of the bathroom anyway.

I shook my head as she sat back in the chair. “Kitty, you’re not supposed to put weight on either of those legs.”

“Oh, doctors are such wimps these days.” She put up a hand. “No offense.”

I pushed Kitty down the hall. “None taken. I’m not a medical doctor anyway.”

A few minutes later, the three of us sat in the kitchen drinking coffee. When it felt like it might be the right time to broach the subject of Kitty’s gynecological problems, I motioned with my eyes to Merrick, and he nodded.

“So, Kitty…” I said. “Merrick and I want to talk to you about the gynecologist.”

“No need.” Kitty put up her hand. “I’m going to go.”

Oh, wow. “That’s great, Kitty. I’m so glad. The doctor they recommended is affiliated with the hospital you went to, so I can go online and make an appointment for you, unless you have an established doctor you’d rather see.”

“That’s fine. It’s been nearly twenty-five years since I’ve been to the vajayjay doctor. I’m sure my old guy is retired by now. Or worse.”

Merrick shook his head. “Not that I’m complaining, but didn’t you refuse to stay at the hospital or discuss your condition after they finished with your feet?”

“Yes.” Kitty sipped her coffee.

He squinted. “So why the change of heart?”

Kitty shrugged. “Marvin said he’s not having sex with me until I see that doctor and make myself well down there. He thinks he’s going to hurt me or something.” She leaned toward me and lowered her voice, unfortunately not low enough. “He is rather well endowed, and the little blue pills are a miracle worker, though I’m pretty sure he isn’t going to do any damage. But whatever. Boys and their egos.”

Merrick cleared his throat and pushed his chair back from the table. The legs skidded loudly across the tile. “I need to go call and check on my luggage.”

I burst out into laughter. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”